In Hong Kong, there are about 4% of male and 2% of female who suffer from sleep apnea, which is ceasing of breathing during sleep. According to the international standard, stopping for over 10 seconds 5 or more times per hour can be diagnosed as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be classified into three types, namely obstructive, central and mixed apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the commonest type of apnea. Central sleep apnea is much less common, meaning the central nervous system cannot maintain normal breathing at sleep. The cause may be congenital, or caused by stroke or drugs. Mixed sleep apnea means having both apneas at the same time.
Symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, occasional pauses in breathing, unwillingness to get up in the morning, daytime tiredness, easy to go napping, difficulty to focus, which affects work or academic performance. Also, sleep apnea may cause temper changes, memory and sexual function loss. Besides, sleep apnea can cause different complications, such as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. In severe case, sleep apnea may lead to sudden death.
Diagnosis
Patients can be diagnosed by sleeping test, which the patient can choose to stay in hospital for a night or get tested by sleeping test companies at home.
It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your ENT doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
